2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku, Sep 24 - 26

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Tyre selection


2025 Results
Qualifying


Race


Schedule and more information:
24 Sep, 10:30 - Practice 1
24 Sep, 14:00 - Practice 2
25 Sep, 10:30 - Practice 3
25 Sep, 14:00 - Qualifying
26 Sep, 13:00 - Race
(all times cest)

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Race takes place on Saturday

[venkyhere]

With both straights classified as SLM zones, I expect the 'L/D problem for Baku' to simply disappear. The cars will have properly cranked up wings and sector2 will be much faster than we have ever seen before, because there is no dearth of recharge opportunities.
However, even if the battery is 100% full at the exit of T16, the longest straight in the calender will have drained the battery 1/2 of the way into the straight. This straight is going to be 100% comedy this weekend. Starting position is not going to matter - Mercedes will win by a huge margin. No one can compete against them on the straights on any track.

[SB15]

With both straights classified as SLM zones, I expect the 'L/D problem for Baku' to simply disappear. The cars will have properly cranked up wings and sector2 will be much faster than we have ever seen before, because there is no dearth of recharge opportunities.
However, even if the battery is 100% full at the exit of T16, the longest straight in the calender will have drained the battery 1/2 of the way into the straight. This straight is going to be 100% comedy this weekend. Starting position is not going to matter - Mercedes will win by a huge margin. No one can compete against them on the straights on any track.

The fact Merc is still this fast while bringing the least amount of upgrades is very crazy. Shows how good that W17 chassis is, every one says Ferrari has the best but I completely disagree.

[F1Krof]

Why is the race on Saturday?

[HungarianRacer]

I know it sounds ridiculous, but if McLaren doesn't demonstrate at least a ~6 tenths/lap advantage over Mercedes on this track (even taking into account the fact that it's supposed to be a favourable track for the later), it is probably game over for them (and everyone else) as far as fighting for wins on merit is concerned this season.

People are awed at McLaren's most recent round of upgrades only until they are put into perspective next weekend I suspect...

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Why is the race on Saturday?

there's some kind of national mourning in Azerbaijan on Sunday, and apparently they pay enough for FIA to therefor move the race to Saturday

[CjC]

I know it sounds ridiculous, but if McLaren doesn't demonstrate at least a ~6 tenths/lap advantage over Mercedes on this track (even taking into account the fact that it's supposed to be a favourable track for the later), it is probably game over for them (and everyone else) as far as fighting for wins on merit is concerned this season.

People are awed at McLaren's most recent round of upgrades only until they are put into perspective next weekend I suspect...

I know you caveated nearly everything you said. For the majority I agree but the only thing I’d suggest is that if this package came to Madrid we’d need to see at least 6ths.

Baku is an outlier, like you say- it’s probably favourable to Mercedes and McLaren didn’t have the best time there last year.
As a Mclaren fan I’d like this upgrade to be a decent step forward, even if we don’t see it here in Baku so when Merc bring their next upgrade it puts Mclaren and Mercedes neck and neck at the very least for
McLaren.

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FP2 longruns (HUL very likely underfueled)



Some guys did their fastest laps in the end (by far, in LEC's case), so their average probably isn't really worth much.

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Tire update:



Bearman's used soft is from when he retired the car right at the beginning of his first lap. He preferred to keep it over a new medium.

[Artur Craft]

Am I the only one who, completely, forgot the race would be on a Saturday and completely missed yesterday´s action ?

Also, this event never looked so good as today, after Madring´s atrocious venue

[djones]

Am I the only one who, completely, forgot the race would be on a Saturday and completely missed yesterday´s action ?

Also, this event never looked so good as today, after Madring´s atrocious venue

Only by pure luck I just went to see when FP was happening and discovered qualifying is about to start!!!

[DGP123]

+0.8 gap to pole

My god

[djones]

Insane straight line speed from Mercedes.

At least they don’t get an engine upgrade. Oh wait.

[Artur Craft]

Verstappen 0.6s slower than Hadjar, who´s just coming back and Hamilton 0.5s slower than Baku´s specialist Leclerc.

Russell has just been destroying the field on this track and I just can´t f$#|ing fathom how Mercedes managed to convince FIA that RB has the best engine